Mariah Carey touting Jenny Craig after losing 30 pounds
(CBS) Weight loss giant Jenny Craig has unveiled a new company name and a new spokesperson - newly-svelte pop star Mariah Carey.
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The company, now called just "Jenny," said Wednesday it was teaming up with the 41-year-old singer after the diet helped her shed 30 pounds following the birth of her twins.
Carey, the best-selling female recording artist of all time, told Us Weekly she used a nutritionist and workout plan from Jenny which included a 1,500 calories-per-day diet, and workouts three times a week.
"I'm proud of how hard I worked to get my body back," she told the magazine. "I had to do this for me."
Carey's role as Jenny's "brand ambassador" includes participation in a new company initiative called "My Heart. My Life." The initiative, which includes a partnership with the American Heart Association, will feature public service announcements and community and education programs.
"Two-thirds of the country is placing themselves at risk for heart disease and diabetes," Carey said in a written statement. "Largely, that is due to unhealthy eating patterns and lack of physical activity," "I obtained a greater understanding of this when I was pregnant with my twins and dealing with my own health issues. That's why I feel so strongly about working with Jenny and the American Heart Association to help Americans get serious about their health as it pertains to these issues which are so important."
But Carey told the Associated Press weight loss goes beyond helping pregnant women shed baby fat.
"We just lost Heavy D," she told the AP of the rapper who collapsed and died Tuesday. "I considered him my friend and ... he was (in his) early 40s, so it's serious. It's really serious."
Obesity increases the risk for developing heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, breast and colon cancer, joint and bone problems, and sexual dysfunction. More than one-third of adult Americans are obese, and a recent report said half of Americans will be obese by 2030, resulting in almost 8 million new cases of diabetes and 7 million new cases of heart disease and stroke, CBS News reported.
Jenny says its clients lose an average of 1-2 pounds per week, pairing one-on-one consultation with packaged meals and workouts.
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